Now here is a story that makes you go hmmm and shake your head. Politics has always been a mud slinging business, but this is a low blow even as it relates to politics. It is being reported that Obama’s family owned slaves. One can only speculate where this story came from? Who has the most to gain by getting mud on Obama … I wonder who?

Many people know that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s father was from Kenya and his mother from Kansas.

But an intriguing sliver of his family history has received almost no attention until now: It appears that forebears of his white mother owned slaves, according to genealogical research and census records.

According to the research, one of Obama’s great-great-great-great grandfathers, George Washington Overall, owned two slaves who were recorded in the 1850 census in Nelson County, Ky. The same records show that one of Obama’s great-great-great-great-great-grandmothers, Mary Duvall, also owned two slaves. (Baltimore Sun)

Trust me, I do not care for Obama and I can find enough wrong with Barack Obama without having to do a hatchet job on him like this and include his great, great, great ancestors owning slaves. Barack was responsible for this how? Although, this story brings out another rather different yet important point. Whether a candidate or individual in general is black or white, are any of us responsible for what our ancestors did? The answer is no. So if one is white, the “slavery owning ancestor” card is just as wrong. 100% wrong.

QandO asks that very same question, “And I have to wonder where it came from?”

The Carpet Bagger Report ask the very valid question, “You’ve got to be kidding me. Obama’s great-great-great-great grandfather is relevant to his presidential campaign, why?”

The Virginian asks what media world do we live in today that would print this as a front page story.

I really don’t care who or what any candidate’s ancestors were or what they did. What is fascinating about this is that the news media should report on it. This is certainly not the media that failed to inform the public that Roosevelt was a polio victim confined to a wheel chair by only taking pictures of him that excluded that chair.

We are this far out of the primaries and 2008 elections and stories like this make print. Can we only begin to imagine how dirty the campaign will be.

This is just the beginning folks. I expect to hear all about Obama’s supposed sexual harassment of women, homosexual tendencies, unfaithfulness to his wife, proclivity for writing sexually explicit messages on the Internet, pedophilia, and cruelty to his dog before Hillary gets done.

nurturer on
March 2nd, 2007 1:14 pm

That’s right. This is Hillary and her cronies at work. It’s been confirmed FOR YEARS that she’s nasty and ruthless. Soooo, welcome to the true Hillary.

It could have been anyone doing this research. Why lead people to believe it was Hillary Clinton? It could have just as easily been a Republican. That’s a little irresponsible. And what difference does it make now if his ancestors owned slaves? I’m sure some people would want to hold him personally responsible for that too.
Obama seems to really threaten people with his charisma, so anything will be used to discredit him. It may have the opposite effect, and attract even more attention than he is already receiving. If people perceive him as a good man being picked on due to political pettiness and jealousy, he will attrack more voter interest. He seems to have the ability to rise above it in public, and that’s what people will see.

Janet on
March 2nd, 2007 1:35 pm

I am not liberal so, obviously, I do not support many of the policies that Barack Obama’s would uphold as a representative of the Democratic party.
.
I believe that any politician running for election should be open to personal scrutiny only … ancestors or family members should not be viewed as a reflection in regards to their integrity/motives.
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Mitt Ronmey, a Republican, is a Mormon whose ancestors embraced the ideology of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormom Church, in regards to polygamy. However, Ronmey denounces this lifestyle.

Obvious, critics from both the Republican and Democratic party are scraping the bottom of the barrel if they are forced to go back a century to dig for dirt to discredit their opponent.
.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254362,00.html
An introductory film played at his fundraisers and campaign appearances features his wife, Ann, talking about their 37-year marriage. Romney himself notes they started as high school sweethearts. This month, Ann Romney tried a different tack, taking a lighthearted jab at her husband’s main Republican competitors, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as she introduced Romney at a Missouri GOP dinner. The biggest difference between her husband and the other candidates, Ann Romney said, is that “he’s had only one wife.” McCain has been married twice; Giuliani three times.

Colbert clip where a salon.com writer is claiming that Obama is not black, but African African American. It is really funny but also a peek into what is going to happen in the lead up to the primaries. Check it out.

dennisintn on
March 2nd, 2007 4:18 pm

what somebody’s ancestors were or what they did doesn’t impress me at all. be they slaves, slave owners, horse thieves, or members of the mayflower party. it has not one iota to do with who you are or who i am. one hero’s son might be a coward, or vice versa. much ado about nothing.
dennisintn

How sad that the democratic party that prides itself on
its’ contributions to the liberation of the black man
should have to bear the brunt of a joke like this.

Racism is alive and well, in America!

MuffyBee on
March 2nd, 2007 7:43 pm

I agree with dennisintn (#8). Why would something Obama’s late ancestors did, be it a good deed or a bad thing reflect on the person I am now? Does Obama now own slaves? Or has he ever owned a slave? That would be more pertinent…

MuffyBee on
March 2nd, 2007 7:45 pm

Whoops. That should be “Why would something Obama’s late ancestors did, be it a good deed or a bad thing reflect on the person HE is now?”

Why do we think Hillary is responsible? Because some of us fully expect that Hillary has every possible detective working to discredit any candidate that gets close to her. It’s the way the Clintons operate. Their supporters would be ashamed of them if this wasn’t their doing!

I disagree with that. If her supporters find out that she had anything to do with this smear that is stinking of racism; she might as well just throw in the towel!

The democrats have seen enough of the name calling and the Clinton heckling to last them a lifetime. Hillary is an underdog in this race because of it. Believe me, at a time of war with so many issues on the table, we don’t need a nation at war against itself. Just the thought of more Rush Limbaugh is enough to make any democrat shiver with disgust.

Rush Limbaugh is probably in the background with a shaved head, his hand covering his mouth and a sneer on his face, saying, “Whoops… I did it, again”… I wonder how all those fine, black brothers that are fighting this war feel about that?

There is no room for this kind of hatred in our primaries.

kitty on
March 2nd, 2007 11:51 pm

If issues of slavery are to be brought up, perhaps, whomever dug up the ancestors of Obama x 5 or 6th generations past ~ they aught to focus on Modern Day Slavery.

He is a modern day abolitionist ~ he is in his 20′s, an Author, wrote his biography…who’s audiences have even been with our current President of the United States, Condelisa Rice, Madelyn Allbright and then some… he immigrated here, with Gabriel, Dhiu, and Samuel ~ all from Sudan, who were deemed “The Lost Boys of Sudan”, they are far from boys, they are amazing young men, who’ve lived through horror… these brave young men, graduated with my eldest son, just 3 years ago, from High School ~ they are all attending University/College in the United States and take nothing for granted.

Francis Bok, spoke last year, at Dean College in Massachusetts about his life as a slave ~ he was just 6 years old and was enslaved until he was 10. Gabriel’s story was different, he introduced Francis to the audience, just days before, he found out his Mother and Sister were still alive (he had not heard any news of her being alive for 10 years)… it was Gabriel, ~ who introduced Francis to the audience. Gabriels story was also riviting. The entire 3 years I knew him, he never shared his horroriffic ordeal, until his moment ~ when he introduced Francis.

Let’s talk about current issues here. Slavery exists, yes, now, present day, all over the world. Francis Bok, is doing something about it. He’s written a book, works for an organization based in Boston, to enlighten the world…about Modern Day Slavery… and his passion and life’s mission, is to have it stop.

Obviously, the vermin who chose to dig into Obama’s past had to go that far back to get “dirt” on him… shame…

I’m thankful, the issue’s been raised ~ it does exist, yes, in 2007, Slavery still exists. Now, focus on that and do something about it.

Perhaps, that aught to be on the Presidential Campaigns to do list… get rid of modern day slavery. Francis could be spokesperson ~ he’s elegant and educated ~ and knows where to put his energies…

Be a role model, be proactive and put energy where it can do good… yes, it’s horriffic and part of America’s history as many cultures all over the world.. and the most frightening thing, is, it still is going on, active as I type this.

Contact Francis Bok ~ buy his book and get in touch with him and participate in the greater good of mankind ~ do something to stop slavery ~ you don’t have to dig up x’s 5 or 6 generations, on Obama’s families side… it’s ugly, and it’s still happening right NOW.

What will you do to stop it? That is my challenge to those who have nothing better to do, than have to go that far back, generations worth… they obviously, needed to be educated tonight about the present day slaves, world over…yes, even here in our United States of America and abroad~

Now, be positive and do something about it, today! Obama and the rest who are running for President of the United States ~ make that a priority.

-kitty from Massachusetts

kitty on
March 3rd, 2007 12:03 am

to add to the above, I forgot to mention Francis’ book.

Escape From Slavery, by Francis Bok.

It’s a miracle, he escaped. At 16 years of age, he escaped bondage of slavery, in Sudan, Africa. This is modern day slavery ~ not 5, 6, generations back…

To hear his story, along with Gabriel’s had an entire audience crying. It was gut wrenching and riviting.

If you ever have the opportunity to hear this young man share of the horrors he lived, it seemed surreal, that it exists today… he’s real, his story, real and have the Kleenex nearby, if you read his book, or meet with him in person… you’ll need it.

I’ve never been so moved, as to hear him share of his ordeal, his suffering ~ and never so impressed, by his grace and mercy and passion to have this end, world over…

That is why Hillary, et all, should focus on…

If I was running for a Presidential campaign, I’d not be digging up ancestrial dirt, on my challenger ~ I’d engage in a thoughtful, intelligent, conversation with someone like Francis, who’s lived it, most recently, and see what I could do to rid the earth of this problem… If you want to dig up dirt, get ready to plant seeds ~ seeds of hope ~ like Francis is doing. What a role model for young men and women to look up to, especially Presidential candidates and those who are running their campaigns, or should I say, ruining them?.

Whether a candidate or individual in general is black or white, are any of us responsible for what our ancestors did? The answer is no. So if one is white, the “slavery owning ancestor” card is just as wrong. 100% wrong.

Very well stated. There are probably other well-known blacks whom have similar historic backgrounds and this knowledge will correct the white only mith by restoring to the original level that we are all equally to blame.

Patti #13: I’m having a hard time following your message. You see first you don’t like anyone “heckling” (I call it telling the truth) Hillary and then you go off on Rush.

Is this like algore’s message: Do as I say, not as I do?

I’m sorry, because I do wish it wasn’t true, but the Clintons are both known for their dirty filthy “win at any cost” attitudes when it comes to campaigning. They are always certain it’s that “vast right wing conspiracy” out to get them, when it’s really their own mouths and their own actions to blame.

One thing is for certain: Hillary will not go softly into that goodnight. Without anililating her competition, she hasn’t got a chance of winning the Democratic nomination. Now everyone knows that this change to run was promised Hillary for being a good little girl through all Bill’s problems; yet the Demos have a problem, because they can see that Hillary can’t carry the Demo ticket and win. There are too many people against her – you either love Hillary or detest her

Mortella on
March 3rd, 2007 11:34 am

If Mitt Romney’s ancestors are fair game then so are Obama’s. Can’t have it both ways.

Traditionally, it is the others within a party who do the smearing during the primaries with the Opposition Party saving their big guns for the one actually chosen as a candidate.

I highly doubt the GOP is after Obama. Why should they be so early when he is not likely to go much of anywhere. Just sit back and let Hitlerly to it for them.

National parties tend to attack only after the actual candidate is finalized and not in the primaries. That’s why it is far more likely these attacks on Obama are from Hillary just as Insight Magazine has already published.

blair on
March 3rd, 2007 2:21 pm

Many Afircan Americans who researched their family trees would discover that have black ancestors who owned slaves. In the United States, free blacks as well as whites owned slaves (one of the South’s biggest slave owners was a free black man notorious for his harsh treatment of slaves). African Americans who traced their roots back to Africas would discover that virtually of their African ancestors were involved in the slave trade. The African tribes–not Europeans–ran the “supply side” of the slavery industry.

I wasn’t saying that you were heckling anyone. I was referring to the heckling that went on during Bill Clinton’s presidency.

The only part of my comment that was specifically addressed to you was the first paragraph.

As far as my remarks about Rush Limbaugh, if he can dish it out, he can certainly take it. I can’t speak for everyone; but, in my eyes, there was nothing good about the things that he did.

kitty on
March 3rd, 2007 11:03 pm

Your welcome Patti and others who feel as I do.

If you go on line, or on Amazon.com you will find Francis Bok’s book: Escape From Slavery. You can read about the book and Francis on line.

From the back flap cover of his book:
Francis Bok is 23 years old and associate at the Boston-Based American Anti-Slavery Group (AASG).

In 2000, he became the first escaped slave to testify before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the hearings on Sudan. He speaks throughout the United States, has been featured in The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, and Essence Magazine, and he recently met with President George Bush at the White House. He lives in Boston.

As I mentioned, Francis life’s mission, is to rid the World of Slavery ~ he was captured as a boy, while selling eggs and peanuts in the marketplace ~ enslaved for 10 years, until he escaped ~ and immigrated here to the United States.

I feel, in my heart, that true stories such as this is a whole lot more important to discuss, rather than spending time digging up ancient history on the Obama’s and Mitt’s, or any candidates geneological background…(not that we do not learn from it).. it is more important to discuss for any of the Political Candidates running for President of the United States ~ and those who are on the campaign trail… (listen up everyone who is in the running, Democrat, Republican, or Independant)… this is an important topic ~ to meet with the Modern Day Slaves ~ meet with Francis Bok and let him share his life’s story ~ let him educate you on Slavery… he knows, he’s lived it.

Why is everyone bantering back and forth about the histology of the Clintons, Rush Limbaugh, et all… when you are all overlooking, the importance of Slavery in itself.

Again, I challenge every candidate to do something about this evil that does exist present day ~ all over the world. Color, race, religion, age, sex, it does not matter ~ it exists ~ we can’t go on denying the reality, that it is alive and well.

My life has been enlightened, by Francis Bok. His courage, His ability to tell his ordeal, with such grace, is in itself, compelling. His truth, His reality. I forever am changed after meeting this elegant, passionate young man. I am a better person, for having met Francis Bok.

Read his story, become involved, proactive ~ enough bantering about who said this, or that… it only takes focus off the true issue here ~ about the Francis Boks’ of today… I’m sure, that right now, there are more boys and girls, men and women, being held against their will, enslaved. It must not be tolerated. I applaud the courage of Francis, to do something about it and share his life’s story. We all need to shoulder this young man, and join him in educating everyone, world wide ~ about Slavery.

Put the focus, where it truly belongs ~ not on the Obama’s, Mitt’s, Hillary’s ~ and I’m not dismissing everyone’s comments above this one… come on folks, gripe all you want, it’s still going on… write to your Congressmen, your Senators ~ the President ~ get their attention… think about Dufar… and the suffering world over…

blessings,
-Kitty-

kitty on
March 3rd, 2007 11:15 pm

P.S.

I’m curious, if our former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romeny, ever met with Francis Bok, or even knew about his Boston based Anti-Slavery Group, (AASG). Or that Francis lived nearby… mmm… Now, that’s a good interesting question to ask Mitt and what does he think about it. I’m more curious about that than hearing about Mitt’s ancestors and Obama’s… I’m sure, it would be adventageous of any candidate to partner with the Francis’ of this world…or even talk about the ugly-ness of Slavery, today and what are they going to do about it.

-Kitty-

Margaret on
September 21st, 2010 4:53 am

We all have in our family history have white people that own slaves, and as far as we can look back, how do we know for sure that blacks had slaves because they wanted to.They could be made to do anything in those days.So you can stop that and search your own family tree,bet you will cry for years to come.